Terminal connector and insulating sleeve therefor

ABSTRACT

A terminal connector and insulating sleeve therefor in which the internal surface of the insulating sleeve defines a first generally cylindrical portion, a second outwardly tapered flaring portion and a third undercut portion. The connector includes a conductive sleeve having cylindrical and tapered sections corresponding to the first and second portions of the insulating sleeve disposed within the insulating sleeve in surface-tosurface contact with the corresponding surfaces thereof. The barrel of a connecting element is disposed within the assembled sleeves, the free end of which is upset outwardly to retain the components of the assembled terminal connector in place.

United States Patent 1191 Condon [4 Nov. 20, 1973 1 TERMINAL CONNECTOR AND 3,602,875 8/1971 Pierini 339/192 R INSULATING SLEEVE THEREFOR 3,622,688 I l/ I971 Link et al. 174/ I42 [75] Inventor: Harry F. Condon, l-lillsdale, Mich. Primary Examiner Marvin Champion [73] Assignee: Vaco Products Company, Chicago, Assismm Examiner-Rob! A. Hafcf Ill, Attorney-Max Dressler et al.

I22} Filed: Nov. 24, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT PP 201,926 A terminal connector and insulating slecvc therefor in 1 which the internal surface of the insulating sleevc de- [52] Cl 339/223 R 339/213 T 339/276 FS fines a first generally cylindrical portion, a second out- 51 1111. c1. H0lr 15/12 were! flaring and a third undercut 58 Field of Search 339/223 217 220 The includes corducfive 339/221 276 R, 246 FS 276 T A having cylindrical and tapered sections corresponding 61 to the first and second portions of the insulating sleeve disposed within the insulating sleeve in surface-to [56] References Cited surface contact with the corresponding surfaces thereof. The barrel of a connecting element is dis- UNITED STATES PATENTS posed within the assembled sleeves, the free end of 2,763,849 9/1956 Betts 339/276 T which is upset outwardly to retain the components of the assembled terminal connector in place.

2,964,171 12/1960 Chadwick 339/276 SF 20 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 3 7 J 70 40 74 v r 1 i 1 1 EQK 3 58 1 d l I H) I r l I 1 4/ I 52 E1 g y L I i SSS l a 52 sp i -46 I am TERMINAL CONNECTOR AND INSULATIN SLEEVE THEREFOR BACKGRQUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to. the field of insulated terminal connectors of thetype in which a conductor 1 inserted therein is affixed by crimping of the connector. A wide variety of such insulated terminal connectors are in existence, and, typically, include two orthree .within the insulating sleeve and interposed between-the barrel of the connectorelement andtheinner surface of the insulating sleeve. Typically, theiconfiguration of such insulating connectors has been of the bell mouth type. j 4 a The bell mouthtype configurations are advantageous for utilization with insulated wires wherein the bare wire is inserted into the barrel of the connector element. The enlarged end of the insulating sleeve, and the enlarged end of theconductive liner sleeve, if used, are designed to accommodate insulation on the inserted-wire. When a conductiveliner sleeve is used, the

terminal connector may be double crimped onto the bare wire and the insulation.

Otherexamples of insulated terminal connectors are found in Frey'U.S. Pat. No. 2,769,965 and Crimmens et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,098,688.

In assembling the terminal connectors, one problem is the retention of the components in the assembled terminal connector and particularly the retention of the conductive liner sleeve within the insulating sleeve during assembly. Typically in the prior art, the retention of the conductive liner sleeve within the outer insulating sleeve is effected by press fitting the conductive sleeve within the outer insulating sleeve.

For example, in the aforementioned Fry and Crimmens et al. patents, the insulating sleeve is stretched over the conductive sleeve and in particular, over the larger diameter cylindrical portion of the conductive sleeve, in order to retain theconductive sleeve in place. In the Chadwick patent, the interior surface of the insulating sleeve and the exteriorsurface of the conductive sleeve are configured with two cylindrical portions of it makes assembly of the terminal more difficult.

It should beapparent, that if it were possibleto insure retention of the conductive sleeve within the insulating ing sleeve.

sleeve without resorting to the tightoverall frictional between the liner sleeve and the insulating sleeve often diminishes. As a result,the insulating sleeve no longer retains the liner sleeve in place, andfon occasionthe liner sleeves moves relative to the insulating sleeve and becomes exposed at theenlarged wire end of the terminalconnector. Since the linersleeve is conductive, this relative movement of the liner sleeve results in a crimped terminal whichmay very readily be unsafe be cause of the-exposed conductive liner.

, Thus, any configuration which could preclude this undesirable exposure ofthe conductive liner sleeve would, ofcourse, be highly desirable in order, to improve the safety factor of such terminalconnectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is pr ovidedan' insulated terminal connector configured tofacilitate assenibly of the components and concurrently configured to insure retention of a conductive sleeve,

whenused, within the insulating sleeve during assembly. This is accomplished h'ot only without increasing the complexity ofthe configuration of the conductive sleeve,'but,tothe contrary, by simplifyingthe conductive sleeve shape and the interior surface of the insulat- In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an open ended insulating sleevefor a terminal connectorin which, the internal surface of the insulating sleeve defines a first generally cylindrical portion extending from one end of the insulating sleeve to a point intermediate the open ends thereof, a second outwardly flaring portion extending from said intermediate point to a point ofmaximum internal diameter adjacent to the other openend of the insulating sleeve, and an undercut portion between the maximum diameter end of the outwardly flaring portion and the other open end of the sleeve. The minimum internal diameter of the undercut portion is less than the maximum internal diameter of the outwardly flaring portion.

A conductive sleeve, when used, is adapted to be inserted within the insulating sleeve and has an external surface which includes sections substantially identical to the first generally cylindrical and outwardly flaring portions of the inner surface of the insulating sleeve,

the outer diameter of the cylindrical section 'of the conductive liner sleeve being substantially the same as the internal diameter of the cylindrical portion and the minimum internal diameter of the undercut portion of the insulating sleeve.

The cylindrical section of the conductive sleeve is inserted past the undercut portion of the insulating sleeve and passes freely therethrough untilengaging the cylindrical portion of the insulating sleeve. At this point, the conductive sleeve is inserted into the insulating sleeve with the tapered outwardly flaring section of the metal conductive liner sleeve being forced past the undercut portion of the insulating sleeve.

The tapered section of the conductive sleeve makes surface contact with the tapered outwardly flaring portion of the insulating sleeve, but as is obvious, there is no necessity for a frictional fit therebetween. When the conductive sleeve is inserted within the insulating sleeve, it is held in place against relative movement in one direction by the tapered outwardly flaring surfaces and in the other direction by the undercut portion of the insulating sleeve.

Typically, the minimum inner diameter of the undercut portion of the insulating sleeve is substantially equal to the maximum inner diameter of the tapered outwardly flaring section of the liner sleeve to thereby effectively shield the end of the liner sleeve and reduce the chance of the ends of the wire inserted into the terminal connector from inadvertently engaging the end of the conductive liner.

In addition, the undercut portion effectively covers the maximum diameter end of the liner sleeve and precludes movement ofthe liner sleeve even after the terminal connector has been crimped onto a wire inserted therein. This additional benefit improves the safety of such terminals by precluding inadvertent exposure of the liner sleeve at the wire end of the terminal. In addition, the increased thickness of the insulating sleeve at the undercut portion increases the dielectric property of the insulating sleeve providing additional safety in the use of such terminals.

The barrel portion of the connector element is inserted into the generally cylindrical open end of the insulating sleeve with the end of the barrel portion terminating at or short of the intersection of the cylindrical section and outwardly flaring section of the liner which corresponds to the point of intersection of the cylindrical and tapered outwardly flaring portions of the insulating sleeve. The barrel of the connector element is retained in place by staking the free end of the barrel outwardly against the cylindrical section of the conductive liner and the cylindrical portion of the insulating liner.

The insulating sleeves forming a part of the terminal of the present invention may be produced as an assembly of a plurality of sleeves interconnected and maintained in spaced apart relation by a plurality of interconnecting strand members extending between and formed integrally with the insulating sleeves. The production of the insulating sleeves in such a strip assembly permits automatic assembly of theterminal connector components. In addition, the assembled assembly of interconnected terminal connectors may be readily fed into automatic crimping apparatus for high-speed production of lead wires. This eliminates the necessity for mounting the individual sleeves or assembled connectors on a separate carrier band for utilization in an automatic assembly or automatic crimping apparatus and yet, permits ready production of individual terminal connectors simply by severing the connectors from the strip assembly.

Furthermore, a plurality of such strip assemblies may be formed by bonding the interconnecting strand members of one assembly to another assembly as is disclosed more fully in my co-pending application Ser. No. 205,258 filed Dec. 6, 1971. i

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and of one embodiment thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawing in which each and every detail shown is fully and completely disclosed as a part of this specification, in which like numerals refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of prior art insulating sleeves and assembled connectors; 4

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view ofa strip of interconnected insulating sleeves in accordance with the present invention illustrating the assembly of the components of the terminal of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of an assembly of interconnected terminal connectors in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one specific em bodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplication of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

FIG. 1 shows a plurality of interconnected prior art insulating sleeves and the assemblytherein of a prior art terminal connectors of the type disclosed in Chadwick U.S. Pat. No. 2,964,171. As described in that patent, the prior art open ended sleeves 10 each have a common wall thickness and opposite end portions of different internal and external diameters. The prior art sleeves are formed of two generally cylindrical portions l2, 14 of differing diameters interconnected by an inclined annular shoulder 16 mid-way of the length thereof.

The axes of the sleeves 10 are disposed in equally spaced, parallel relation with flat integral webs 18 connecting each adjacent pair of sleeves 10 at diametrically opposite points on the large peripheral edge of each sleeve. The free ends 20, 22 of the web I8 may be formed into complimentary ball and socket'connecting means for detachably connecting the plurality of such strips together.

The terminal connector is asembled as shown in FIG. 1 by inserting into the larger open end of each sleeve 10 a conductive liner sleeve 24 having a corresponding common wall thickness configuration defined by two cylindrical sections of differing diameter 26, 28 interconnected by an inclined annular shoulder 30. The configuration of the liner sleeve 24 conforms to the internal configuration of the sleeve 10. The conductive liner sleeve 24 is inserted into the larger open end of insulating sleeve 10 as indicated at position a of FIG. 1 and is frictionally fitted within the sleeve, as shown at position b in FIG. 1.

Thereafter, the wire barrel portion 32 of an apertured tongue 34, having its free annular end internally chamfered at 36 is inserted into the smaller end of the liner sleeve 24, as shown at position c in FIG. 1, and is flared outwardly against the inclined shoulder 30 of the liner sleeve 26 as shown at position d in FIG. 1, to secure the wire barrel portion 32 within the liner sleeve 24 and the liner sleeve within its insulating sleeve 10.

It can be appreciated by observation of the configuration in FIG. 1, that the entire outer surface of each section of the priorart liner sleeve is frictionally fitted within the corresponding portions of the insulating sleeve in order to retain the liner sleeve in place during assembly of the terminal connector and prior to outw'ard flaring of the wire barrel. Utilizing this type of configuration, the insulating sleeve is usually stretched during insertion of the liner sleeve in order to insure sufficient frictional fit to retain the liner sleeve in place. The resulting difficulty of assembly is apparent, requiring very close tolerances and accurate alignment of the axes of the insulating and liner sleeves during assembly.

FIG. 2 shows an interconnected strip assembly 37 of insulating sleeves 38 configured in accordance with the present invention. The internal surface of each insulating sleeve 38 defines a first generally cylindrical portion 40 of constant diameter terminating at a point 41 intermediate of the open ends 42, 44,a. generally tapered outwardly flaring portion 46 intersecting said cyliridrical portion at said intermediate point 41 and terminating adjacent the open end 44, and an undercut portion 48 having a minimum internal diameter less than the maximum diameter of the tapered portion 46.

The minimum diameter of the undercut portion 48 is defined by a generally cylindrical segment 50 conneeted to the maximum diameter end of the tapered portion 46 by a oppositely tapered internal shoulder segment 52. An outwardly flaring segment 54 extends between the other edge of the cylindrical segment 50 and the open end 44 of the insulating sleeve 38.

The outer surface of the insulating sleeve 38 need not be of the same configuration as the interior surface thereof. In the disclosed embodiment, the outer surface of the insulating sleeve 38 is divided into a first generally cylindrical portion 58 co-extensive with the internal cylindrical portion 40, and a second cylindrical-portion 60 of larger diameter than the cylindrical portion 58 and connected thereto by an inclined shoulder 62. It is thusapparent that the thickness of the wall of the insulating sleeve 38 changesalong the length of the sleeve since the configuration of the inner'and outer surfaces differ.

A conductive metallic thin-walled liner sleeve 64 having a generally cylindrical section 66 co-extensive in length to the internal cylindrical portion40 of the insulating sleeve 38 and a tapered outwardly flaring section 68 co-extensive with the tapered portion 46 of the insulating sleeve 38 is adapted for insertion intothe insulating sleeve 38 through open end 44. The external diameter of the cylindrical section 66 of the liner sleeve 64 is substantially the same as the minimum internal diameter of the undercut portion 48 and the internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 40.

The liner sleeve 64 is inserted through the open end 44 of the insulating sleeve 38 with the cylindrical section 66 inserted into the cylindrical portion 40 ofthe insulating sleeve 38. Wheninserted, the enlarged end of the liner sleeve 64 isforced past the undercut portion 48 until the tapered section 68 of the liner sleeve 64 makes surface contact with the taperec portion 46 of the insulating sleeve 38.

The liner sleeve 64 is retained in place within the insulating sleeve 38 by the co-action of the tapered surfaces 46, 68 and by the undercut portion 48 of the insulating sleeve. The'maximum internal diameter of the A conductive connector element 70 having an enlarged apertured tongue 72 or other suitable connector configuration, and an integrally formed cylndrical barrel 74 which terminates in an open generally annular free end 76 is inserted through the open end42 of the insulating sleeve 38, the outer surface of the barrel 74 making contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical section 66 of the conductive liner 64. As seen in H0. 2, the free end of the barrel 76 terminates generally in line with or short of the point of intersection 41 between the cylindrical and tapered sections 66, 68 of the liner sleeve 64 which, in turn, corresponds withthe intersection of the cylindrical and tapered portions 40,

46 of the insulating sleeve 38. The free end 76 of the connector barrel 74 may be internally and externally. chamfered to facilitate insertion into the liner and to adaptedfo utilization in automatic crimpingmachines or 'alternatively,'the interconnected terminals may be severedintoa plurality of individual terminals. Similarly, th assembled connector terminals may be produced by passing theinterconnected sleeve assembly through automatic terminalassembling apparatus.

In terminal connectors in accordance with the present invention, the insulating sleeve may be made of a heavy plastic material, such as polypropylene, nylon, or

polyvinyl chloride, the liner sleeve of tin-plated copper or bronze, and the connector element of tin-plated cop- From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of th novel concept of the invention. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A generally tubular insulating sleeve for an electric terminal connector of the type having an external insulating sleeve and a metal connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel portion, said sleeve having opposed open ends; v

the'internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a firstgenerally cylindrical portion extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends, and merging with a second tapered portion extending from said intermediate point and flaring outwardly at a constant angle to a point of maximum internal diameter adjacent the otherof the open ends thereof, and a third undercutportion between said pointof maximum diameter of said tapered outwardly flaring portion and the other of said open ends with the minimum internal diameter of said undercut portion being less than the maximum diameter of saidtapered outwardly flaring 2. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said undercut portion includes a generally cylindrical segment, the internal diameter of which is said minimum internal diameter; and

a reverse tapered shoulder segment extending between one edge of said cylindrical segment and the point of maximum diameter of said tapered outwardly flaring portion, and an outwardly flaring segment extending between the other end of said cylindrical segment and the other of said open ends.

3. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal diameter of said generally cylindrical portion and said minimum internal diameter of said undercut portion are substantially the same.

4. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said undercut portion is adapted to permit insertion into said sleeve through the other of said ends of a thinwalled conductive liner sleeve having an outer surface conforming in shape to the configuration of said first and second portions of the internal surface of said insulating sleeve.

5. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 4 wherein the difference between said maximum and said minimum internal diameters is about equal to the thickness of the wall of said thin-walled conductive liner sleeve.

6. An assembly of a plurality of insulating sleeves as claimed in claim 1 formed of said plurality of sleeves interconnected and maintained in spaced apart relation by a plurality of interconnecting members extending between and formed integrally with said insulating sleeves.

'7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein a plurality of said interconnecting members extend between each adjacent pair of sleeves.

8. A continuous strip of interconnected assemblies as claimed in claim 6 in which some of the interconnecting members of each assembly are bonded to another assembly.

9. An electric terminal connector comprising;

a generally tubular insulating sleeve having opposed open ends;

the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first portion of generally constant diameter extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends; and

a second generally tapered portion extending from a point adjacent the other of said open ends where the internal diameter thereof is at a maximum to intersect said first portion at said intermediate point where the internal diameter of said tapered portion thereof is at'a minimum and is the same as the diameter of said first portion; and

a conductive connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel having an open free end, said tubular barrel being disposed in said one end of said insulating sleeve, the open free end of said tubular barrel being flared outwardly against the first portion of said insulating sleeve for first and second interior surface portions thereof and said other open end thereof than between said intersection of said first and second interior surface portions thereof and said one open end thereof.

12. An assembly of a plurality of electric terminal connectors as claimed in claim 9 wherein said plurality of terminal connectors are interconnected and maintained in spaced apart relation by a plurality of relatively rigid interconnecting strand members extending between and formed integrally with adjacent ones of said insulating sleeves.

13. A continuous strip of interconnected assemblies as claimed in claim 12 in which at least one of the interconnecting strand members of each assembly ar bonded to another assembly.

14. A method of assembling an electric connector terminal of the type comprising:

a generally tubular open ended insulating sleeve having an internal surface defining a first portion of generally constant diameter extending from one open end to a point intermediate said open ends and a second generally tapered outwardly flaring portion extending from said intermediate point to a point of maximum internal diameter adjacent the other open end thereof and a third undercut portion disposed between the maximum diameter end of said outwardly flaring tapered portion and the other open end of said insulating sleeve, said undercut portion having a minimum internal diameter less than the maximum internal diameter of said outwardly tapered flaring portion} including the steps of:

inserting through said other open end of said insulating sleeve one end of an open ended conductive sleeve having an exterior surface defining a first section of generally constant diameter extending from one end to a point intermediate said open ends and a second generally tapered outwardly flaring section extending from said intermediate point to the other end thereof, said outer surface configuration corresponding to the first and second portions of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve;

inserting said first section into the first portion of said insulating sleeve while advancing the tapered section of said conductive sleeve past said undercut portion into surface contact with said tapered portion of said insulating sleeve, whereby said conductive sleeve is retained in place within said insulatin sleeve; V

inserting the barrel of a conductive connector of the type having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel having an open free end into said one open end of said conductive sleeve through the said one open end of said insulating sleeve until the open free end of said tubular barrel is in line with or terminates short of the aligned intersections of said first and second insulating sleeve portionsand said first and second conductive sleeve section; and

upsetting the free end of said tubular barrel outwardly against the first section of said conductive sleeve to retain said barrel in place therein.

15. An electric terminal connector comprising:

a generally tubular insulating sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first portion of generally constant diameter extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends;

a second generally tapered portion extending from a point adjacent the other of said open ends where the internal diameter thereof is at a maximum to intersect said first portion at said intermediate point where the internal diameter of said tapered portion thereof is at a minimum and is to the same as the diameter of said first portion; and

a conductive connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel having an open free end, said tubular barrel being disposed in said one end of said insulating sleeve; and

an open ended thin-walled conductive line sleeve disposed within said insulating sleeve and between the outer surface of the barrel of said conductive connector element and the internal surface of said insulating sleeve and in contact therewith, the configuration of the outer surface of said conductive sleeve corresponding to the configuration of said first and second portions of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve.

16. An electric terminal connector as claimed in claim wherein the outer surface of said conductive sleeve defines a first, cylindrical section adapted to be press fitted within said first portion of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve and a second outwardly tapered section adapted to make surface contact with said second portion of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve.

17. An electric terminal connector as claimed in claim 16 wherein the inner surface of said insulating sleeve defines a third undercut portion located between the openend of the tapered section of said conductive sleeve and said other open end of said insulating sleeve, the minimum interior diameter of said undercut por- 19. A generally tubular insulating sleeve for an elec- I trical terminal connector of the type having an external insulating sleeve and a metal connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel portion, said sleeve having opposed open ends;

the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first generally cylindrical portion extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends, and merging with a second tapered portion extending from said intermediate point and flaring outwardly at a constant angle to a point of maximum internal diameter adjacent the other of the open ends thereof;

the outer surface of said insulating sleeve having a different configuration than said internal surface thereof;

said insulating sleeve adapted to receive through said one open end the barrel portion of said metal connector element.

20. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 19 wherein the thickness of the wall of said insulating sleeve is greater between said intersection of said first and second internal surface portions and said other open end thereof than between said intersection of said first and second internal surface portions and said one open end thereof. 

1. A generally tubular insulating sleeve for an electric terminal connector of the type having an external insulating sleeve and a metal connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel portion, said sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first generally cylindrical portion extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends, and merging with a second tapered portion extending from said intermediate point and flaring outwardly at a constant angle to a point of maximum internal diameter adjacent the other of the open ends thereof, and a third undercut portion between said point of maximum diameter of said tapered outwardly flaring portion and the other of said open ends with the minimum internal diameter of said undercut portion being less than the maximum diameter of said tapered outwardly flaring portion; and said insulating sleeve adapted to receive through said one open end the barrel portion of said metal connector element.
 2. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said undercut portion includes a generally cylindrical segment, the internal diameter of which is said minimum internal diameter; and a reverse tapered shoulder segment extending between one edge of said cylindrical segment and the point of maximum diameter of said tapered outwardly flaring portion, and an outwardly flaring segment extending between the other end of said cylindrical segment and the other of said open ends.
 3. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal diameter of said generally cylindrical portion and said minimum internal diameter of said undercut portion are substantially the same.
 4. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said undercut portion is adapted to permit insertion into said sleeve through the other of said ends of a thin-walled conductive liner sleeve having an outer surface conforming in shape to the configuration of said first and second portions of the internal surface of said insulating sleeve.
 5. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 4 wherein the difference between said maximum and said minimum internal diameters is about equal to the thickness of the wall of said thin-walled conductive liner sleeve.
 6. An assembly of a plurality of insulating sleeves as claimed in claim 1 formed of said plurality of sleeves interconnected and maintained in spaced apart relation by a plurality of interconnecting members extending between and formed integrally with said insulating sleeves.
 7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein a plurality of said interconnecting members extend between each adjacent pair of sleeves.
 8. A continuous strip of interconnected assemblies as claimed in claim 6 in which some of the interconnecting members of each assembly are bonded to another assembly.
 9. An electric terminal connector comprising; a generally tubular insulating sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first portion of generally constant diameter extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends; and a second generally tapered portioN extending from a point adjacent the other of said open ends where the internal diameter thereof is at a maximum to intersect said first portion at said intermediate point where the internal diameter of said tapered portion thereof is at a minimum and is the same as the diameter of said first portion; and a conductive connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel having an open free end, said tubular barrel being disposed in said one end of said insulating sleeve, the open free end of said tubular barrel being flared outwardly against the first portion of said insulating sleeve for retention of said connector within said sleeve.
 10. An electric terminal as claimed in claim 9 wherein the outer surface of said insulating sleeve is of a different configuration than the interior surface thereof.
 11. An electric terminal connector as claimed in claim 10 wherein the thickness of the wall of said insulating sleeve is greater between said intersection of said first and second interior surface portions thereof and said other open end thereof than between said intersection of said first and second interior surface portions thereof and said one open end thereof.
 12. An assembly of a plurality of electric terminal connectors as claimed in claim 9 wherein said plurality of terminal connectors are interconnected and maintained in spaced apart relation by a plurality of relatively rigid interconnecting strand members extending between and formed integrally with adjacent ones of said insulating sleeves.
 13. A continuous strip of interconnected assemblies as claimed in claim 12 in which at least one of the interconnecting strand members of each assembly are bonded to another assembly.
 14. A method of assembling an electric connector terminal of the type comprising: a generally tubular open ended insulating sleeve having an internal surface defining a first portion of generally constant diameter extending from one open end to a point intermediate said open ends and a second generally tapered outwardly flaring portion extending from said intermediate point to a point of maximum internal diameter adjacent the other open end thereof and a third undercut portion disposed between the maximum diameter end of said outwardly flaring tapered portion and the other open end of said insulating sleeve, said undercut portion having a minimum internal diameter less than the maximum internal diameter of said outwardly tapered flaring portion; including the steps of: inserting through said other open end of said insulating sleeve one end of an open ended conductive sleeve having an exterior surface defining a first section of generally constant diameter extending from one end to a point intermediate said open ends and a second generally tapered outwardly flaring section extending from said intermediate point to the other end thereof, said outer surface configuration corresponding to the first and second portions of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve; inserting said first section into the first portion of said insulating sleeve while advancing the tapered section of said conductive sleeve past said undercut portion into surface contact with said tapered portion of said insulating sleeve, whereby said conductive sleeve is retained in place within said insulating sleeve; inserting the barrel of a conductive connector of the type having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel having an open free end into said one open end of said conductive sleeve through the said one open end of said insulating sleeve until the open free end of said tubular barrel is in line with or terminates short of the aligned intersections of said first and second insulating sleeve portions and said first and second conductive sleeve section; and upsetting the free end of said tubular barrel outwardly against the first section of said conductive sleeve to retain said barrel in place therein.
 15. An electric terminal connector coMprising: a generally tubular insulating sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first portion of generally constant diameter extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends; a second generally tapered portion extending from a point adjacent the other of said open ends where the internal diameter thereof is at a maximum to intersect said first portion at said intermediate point where the internal diameter of said tapered portion thereof is at a minimum and is to the same as the diameter of said first portion; and a conductive connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel having an open free end, said tubular barrel being disposed in said one end of said insulating sleeve; and an open ended thin-walled conductive line sleeve disposed within said insulating sleeve and between the outer surface of the barrel of said conductive connector element and the internal surface of said insulating sleeve and in contact therewith, the configuration of the outer surface of said conductive sleeve corresponding to the configuration of said first and second portions of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve.
 16. An electric terminal connector as claimed in claim 15 wherein the outer surface of said conductive sleeve defines a first, cylindrical section adapted to be press fitted within said first portion of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve and a second outwardly tapered section adapted to make surface contact with said second portion of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve.
 17. An electric terminal connector as claimed in claim 16 wherein the inner surface of said insulating sleeve defines a third undercut portion located between the open end of the tapered section of said conductive sleeve and said other open end of said insulating sleeve, the minimum interior diameter of said undercut portion being less than the outer diameter of the open end of the tapered section of said conductive sleeve, whereby said conductive sleeve is retained in position within said insulating sleeve.
 18. An electric terminal connector as claimed in claim 17 wherein the minimum interior diameter of said undercut portion is substantially equal to the interior diameter of the open end of the tapered section of said conductive sleeve.
 19. A generally tubular insulating sleeve for an electrical terminal connector of the type having an external insulating sleeve and a metal connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel portion, said sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first generally cylindrical portion extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends, and merging with a second tapered portion extending from said intermediate point and flaring outwardly at a constant angle to a point of maximum internal diameter adjacent the other of the open ends thereof; the outer surface of said insulating sleeve having a different configuration than said internal surface thereof; said insulating sleeve adapted to receive through said one open end the barrel portion of said metal connector element.
 20. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 19 wherein the thickness of the wall of said insulating sleeve is greater between said intersection of said first and second internal surface portions and said other open end thereof than between said intersection of said first and second internal surface portions and said one open end thereof. 